Here's What The Bible Really Says About Going To A Psychic

The Bible has guided its believers for thousands of years, with the earliest written text appearing about 2700 years ago, according to the Big Think. Its stories are older than that since they were told orally before becoming part of a book format. Scholars think the Book of Genesis appeared before other chapters, sometime between 1450 to 1400 B.C. More than 54% of the global population considers the Good Book — and its collection of scriptures, tales, and prayers — sacred, including religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Each of these faiths interpret the Bible in its own way, adding some texts and excising other passages.

The Bible offers a primer on how humans should live life. For example, in the Old Testament, from the Book of Genesis to Deuteronomy, you can find 613 commandments that seem to touch on every aspect of a person's existence — from how to treat their neighbors to how religious practices should be observed, according to The New York Times. As the Times points out some of these instructions are no longer relevant, like the ones referencing Jerusalem temples destroyed centuries ago. Others forbid behaviors that seem acceptable now ... like visiting a psychic.

Depending on what Bible you reference, mediums, spiritualists, necromancers, and their ilk are all verboten. In Leviticus 19:31, in the King James Bible, for instance, it says, "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God." The New American Standard Bible conveyed a similar sentiment: "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." The World English Bible reiterated this with: "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God" (via Bible Hub).

Whatever version you embrace, it seems that psychics can become a dangerous conduit to other darker activities, and is thus discouraged, according to Grand Canyon University. Even Pope Francis spoke against visiting such practitioners in 2019 while speaking to an audience in St. Peter's Square. Individuals should look to God, "who makes himself known not through occult practices but through revelation and with gratuitous love," he said, according to the National Catholic Reporter. 

So if you're thinking about visiting a psychic, the Bible would tell you: Just say no. Or you could follow the about 1 in 5 Americans, who admit they've seen a fortune-teller or medium at some point in their lives, according to a study by YouGov, quoted in Mystic Magazine, and go for it.